Moving Toward Montgomery: An NCD Trip to See Ground Truth on Race and Ethnicity
Last year, I joined a group of EFCA district and national leaders on trip to explore issues of race and ethnicity in Montgomery, Alabama (you can read about our trip here). Our time together made a significant impact on my heart, motivating and inspiring me to help...
Apex Youth Ministry for Summer 2020
Dear Pastors and Mission Leaders, Greetings in Christ. Last month, I had the opportunity to visit with April Warfield, the Director of Apex, for youth groups. She told me about the opportunities for the summer of 2020, including coming back to the Twin Cities in...
Sabbatical 2019 #2: The Guinness Way
Note: I originally picked up this book in order to gain some talking points to connect with a family member, but I quickly became fascinated with the story. Therefore, while I highly recommend the book, this article in no way endorses the Guinness products or the...
We Plant, We Water, but God Makes His Kingdom Grow: Part 2
This is part two in a two-part series. Read part one here. Seven months ago, Capital City Church launched in the West Seventh neighborhood of St. Paul. Their team had a vision before them: to spread God’s Kingdom to places and people that wouldn’t otherwise be...
Taking Steps to Guard the Vulnerable and Strengthen Church Integrity
As we travel around EFCA's North Central District, our staff are often asked questions like... What should we be doing to screen our paid staff and volunteer leaders? How can we protect our children and reduce the risk of abuse within our ministries? How should we...
We Plant, We Water, but God Makes His Kingdom Grow: Part 1
This is part one in a two-part series. In the work of multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches, there’s a role for everybody--and for every body. When it comes to multiplying churches, some do the sending and some are the sent ones. Last March, after over a year...
Sabbatical 2019 #1: The Water Course
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. This past summer we experienced our first sabbatical in eleven years of ministry. It was a wonderful time to pause, rest, reconnect, and reflect. It is my hope to write...
Christian Persecution
Dear Pastors and Mission Leaders, Greetings in Christ. The topic of Christian persecution is an important topic to talk about. Recently, I have preached on this topic and wanted to share some of the highlights that I have shared in those churches. November 4th, is...
Welcome to Pat Wester!
Pat Wester has joined the District Team as the Director of Church Revitalization, where he will provide key resources as he coaches NCD churches toward thriving. Raised in Minnesota, Pat and his wife, Dawn, now live in Rochester after a stint in Colorado. They have...
Missions Dates to Remember
Dear Pastors and Mission Leaders, Greetings in Christ. September is here and life this fall is getting busy again. As we plan out our calendars for this coming year, there are some important mission dates to remember for the church calendar. September...
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